The Generational Debate is About Expectations: A Letter to Boomers/Gen X (@imsocorp)
UncategorizedPublished February 15, 2010 at 4:39 pm 30 Comments
I’ve been writing, blogging and speaking on Gen Y issues since 2006 when ERE gave me a blog called Gen Y’d (See my 1st post). As one of the “old” Gen Y’ers – I have watched the evolution of “us” in the workplace from the eager recent college grads entering the workforce as our nation was reeling from it first major terrorist attack, the mini-boom of “the talent war” and the current state of record breaking unemployment. I have seen the reality of the “why” we are distrusting of corporate America, less loyal than the boomers to a corporate setting and the reason so many of us strive to be entrepreneurs.
To a degree – the debate shouldn’t even really exist – we are a lot like our counterparts were when they were in their 20′s – we want the same types of thing of out life, have the same goals and dream the same dreams they did.
The difference lies in Expectations.
Our generation has been raised in a “me” culture, a world full of immediate gratification, instant access and always being told we can do (and be) anything. We’ve had computers in our homes since elementary school, cell phones & internet access since early in our high school years and only know about punch cards because of what Gen X’ers tell us.
Our reality and immediate need for gratification has shaped the way we do business, interact with our friends and live our lives. It has built amazing social networks, changed the history of news and impacted the way companies market, interact and work. Gen Y’s expectations are changing our culture (or are a subset of the culture we live in one can argue).
We want it all, and we want it now. And we see nothing wrong with that.
The vision that we all had of “having it all” when we grew up was built out of the defining moments we watched on television, read about on the internet and heard about via friends we may never meet. We want to have what our parents have (or more) by the time we hit 30 – not 50.
Prior generations would wait their turn. Be patient. Accepted that life doesn’t move as fast as we want. In the workplace they accepted (and understood) the idea of promotion and compensation based on tenure not performance. That you have to “earn” the right to have an opinion.
Our generation wants to learn – everything – now. We want to prove ourselves and be promoted and compensated based on our success and value – not how long we sat in our cube in a week. We want to show you a different way to look at things.
We want you to understand that our expectations don’t take any value out of what you have done in the workforce. We don’t want you to look down or discourage us. We want to learn from you and evolve (Rapidly). We don’t think we are better, faster, stronger, smarter than the generations before us. We don’t think we are “entitled” to it. We just aren’t afraid of expectations.
We want YOU to have expectations of US to do something AMAZING!
On Wednesday - I have an amazing guest post on the topic by Ben McCall of RethinkHR – he’ll talk about why the debate is getting old – lets work together and move on! (I AGREE!) Sidenote: He is amazingly smart and ready for a new challenge in HR – you should check out his blog and HIRE him!
On Thursday – I’ll be in London speaking alongside Lucian Tarnowski the founder of Brave New Talent and a noted Gen Y’er (1 of UK’s top 5 up & coming entrepreneurs, StridingOut’s Future 100, Courvoisier Future 500) at the TRULondon event. We are going to be talking about how companies can harness what differences there are to make amazing teams and success stories in the workplace.
Ahh, I don’t normally like generation posts, but I <3 this one…
"Our generation wants to learn – everything – now. We want to prove ourselves and be promoted and compensated based on our success and value – not how long we sat in our cube in a week. We want to show you a different way to look at things."
Spot on. Please, don't pay me based off of how long I've been with you, or how many hours I put in, please pay me off of the value I provide to your company, the new ideas I bring to business, and the service that I provide to internal and external clients.
with that said…
"We want to learn from you and evolve (Rapidly). We don’t think we are better, faster, stronger, smarter than the generations before us. We don’t think we are “entitled” to it. We just aren’t afraid of expectations."
We respect what you've done, and we know that being around you will make us better. We do not think we are the best workers, and know we have much to learn. Just because we feel our world may move a little bit faster, it doesn't mean we won't work hard for it, or simply take anything away from you.
Thanks for this post, Sarah!
Thanks rich – not big on the topic either, for the most part -everyone wants the same things in life!
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by imsocorp: The Generational Debate is About Expectations: A Letter to Boomers/Gen X http://tinyurl.com/ycytuxs #trulondon…
Roger that for sure. I hate to generalise, particularly generationally, but yes, its refreshing that in particular the old ways and habits of corporate life especially are being blown away by this fresh, straight approach. It brings clarity and challenges the bullshit.
However, we need to think more about expectations, globally. Expectations for ME are fine, as long as they don’t overide the expectations and needs of others. We have had 15 years of ME, particularly with the rising stars and those already at the top and where are we? In the middle of the worst global meltdown we have ever seen. Certainly for a Gen X’er like me who has been through a few of these.
And this didn’t come from outer space. No. It was self inflicted. largely by what we define as the worlds best ‘Talent’ (although we are all culpable to some extent). There is something wrong there. If Gen Y have any expectations they should definitely include challenging those organisations, and their leaders, on issues of integrity and authenticity.
I can’t agree more – challenging the organization and status quo vs just wanting more for ourselves is really where we can provide value.
Aw c’mon Sarah…expectations? That’s it? Newsflash – even us getting older farts believe that the waiting game is bullshit. Not a single young worker bee out there should ever believe they aren’t capable of doing something amazing. Instead of whining about the barriers, DO SOMETHING amazing instead – it’s called innovation and it drives paradigm shifts. And while you’re doing it, smile at the people who are struggling to hold up the barriers – it worked for us Baby Boomers who laugh at the people still holding up dem walls..
It has nothing to do with paying one’s dues; it’s all about power. There are power plays in all the Gens but for some reason “yours” likes to whine about it the most.
“Waaaaah! Mommy and Daddy told me I was special and perfect and you don’t believe them…waaaaaah!” Dunno, perhaps you bristle at the WWII generation being called the “Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokow.
“Waaaaah!” you all Twitter about. “Let’s prove to them that we’re better than them by coloring our avatar green in solidarity with the Iran people”…then after 15 minutes you forget about.
“Let’s all show we’re one with the people of Haiti!”…then 15 minutes and a $10 text message later you forget about it.
Change isn’t measured in 15 minute periods of time and the most culture changing events were accomplished over years – with bloodshed and civil disobedience (thank YOU, Dr. King). So enough with these “you don’t understand us” articles: Don’t tell me, show me.
(even my 86 year old Dad uses Twitter and email to communicate and keep up with his WWII buddies…oops, I’m sorry, he’s part of the Greatest Generation.)
WHAT – EVER!!! The waiting game sucks – you know it, I know it – but we just won’t tolerate it quite as well as the x’ers did.
Great post. I too, rarely like Gen Y posts, but the points made here are valid. While I myself, am on the “generational line”, I feel that I align with gen y to a greater extent, “expectations” being one major area where this is true. However, I also know that in a corporate setting, those expectations are either unrealistic or are stiffled by the corporate structure and fear from management. Herein lies the danger. When expectations aren’t met, an emotional erruption takes place (This is why relationships often fail). We become babies because we didn’t get our way, and fail to effectively manage those emotions. If there is one key difference between generations it is how each manages their emotions that come with failure, success, setbacks, and personal relationships. Having lived with & without most of today’s technology, I can attest to the damage it can do to our ability to reasonably face these “life” issues productively. If one works for themselves, this is needed to obtain and keep clients. If in the corporate world, this is what keeps one from losing their job. In both cases & every other interaction between generations, I feel it is primarily in this area that will determine not only how others view gen Y, but could ultimately be the factor that makes or breaks it.
A few posts about a topic can possibly lead to an intelligent “manage the expectations” discussion (AKA group therapy) but a torrent of posts, tweets, newspaper articles, ad nauseum means one of two things:
(a) whining
(b) lack of understanding
Now Michael and I are pretty perceptive fellows (not an overall assessment of the male gender) and I can assure those who read Sarah’s missives that we do understand. If the problem were so severe we would have certainly seen the civil disobedience required to begin “change”…yet we haven’t.
Focus on commonalities and the differences become so much more insignificant. Kinda like the song, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
Enough.
By coincidence I spoke to 2 sr mgrs last week who told me that you’re not going to get it NOW. You have to do the job first.
And you’re not going to be a director after 9 mos in a management trainee program.
PS: At the last #TRULondon @LucianT said that before GenY entrepreneur was a dirty word when in fact guys like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs (and countless other Silicon Valley types) were the heroic figures of the late 20th century.
Although he sounds stuffy, he was born in 1985 so he wasn’t old enough to realize what was going on. And that’s one of the main problems with the GenY boosters.
PPS: Didn’t Penelope (GenY booster #1) famously say that GenY is conservative not entrepreneurial?
The GenY story is riddled with misinformation and conflict.
I never think of you as GenY or as a GenY cheerleader and you might be better off without that image.
@Animal – just because I write about a topic doesn’t make me the generational cheerleader – I’ve been talking about gen y for years – not what the differences are – but just what that perspectiev is – and you know me well enough to know that my blog and what I post is what I think, feel and (unfiltered) say – it isn’t all about building a brand.
Disagree on a couple of points:
Our expectations are changing the culture – Really? Are they? How so? I’d buy if someone said our *actions* were changing the culture, but I don’t see much beyond talk (with some spotty slacktivist support) when it comes to putting our money where our mouths are and bringing about societal changes that benefit what everyone seems keen to tell us our interests are.
Wanting more than our parents had and wanting it by 30 – What does this entail? If we grew up with internet, cells, college-educated parents, two-car garages, etc., what sort of material mountains are left to climb? I think this might be where Gen Y splits – the traditional corporatist types want all that (and a location-independent lifestyle, vacation home in Monaco, whatever) earlier than their folks achieved it (and don’t kid yourself that this isn’t a means of asserting generational superiority) and the more navel-gazing of us have started questioning what happens if you don’t want these things or you realize that your ability to meet (let alone exceed) your parents’ standard of living ain’t necessarily gonna happen and what this means for the notion of the American Dream that we’re supposed to define ourselves according to.
JMH -
Thanks for the comment! Let me respond to you questions:
Our expectations are changing the culture – Really? Are they? How so? Well…. We have a high number of people starting their own businesses earlier and earlier. People are changing jobs (and managing their own career) more frequently to gain control of their future. The need for everything now is impacting the technology, the social media and the interactivity of corporations with their potential & current customers.
Wanting more than our parents had and wanting it by 30 – What does this entail? Regardless of HOW we grew up – many of the people I know expected to buy they same type of house their parents have as their 1st place, they want to have the nice car, they want to not have the wait. Do I agree there is a group of us in this gen starting to question – why?
BTW – I don’t think it is “generational superiority” seriously? WTF? No generation is better than the other – we are all different and have benefits and drawbacks – WE SHOULD ALL LEARN FROM EACH OTHER!!!
Sarah, great post! I’m also “on the line” but often stay out of this discussion, but I will pose a question for you…
If it’s about expectations – perhaps you should clarify whether those expectations are of yourselves or of others… As long as they are expectations for yourselves as individuals and you can comfortably meet or exceed all day long – that’s great…. but I don’t think that’s where you were going… and I cautiously suggest that perhaps you should have some fear of your expectations (and this is where learning from experience comes in).
I just hate the thought of an entire generation once again in therapy because the world didn’t meet their (unrealistic) expectations…. which can be extremely demoralizing when they aren’t met, over and over and over again.
So rather than waving the flag of explanation that “Hey people, we have high expectations” perhaps we look at ways to effectively manage those expectations to help minimize the perception of whining and increase the probability of overall success.
**Sidenote: If one were to make inferences by my screen name – it would be safe to assume I also have high expectations – but I’ve also learned, sometimes the hard way, to temper those expectations with a dose of realism and it’s amazing how much my perspective, and relative successes have changed as a result. In a good way.
Therapy – not so bad.
I move for us to go beyond generational stereotypes because I am a believer that these transcend age. You can be Gen Y while being 55 or a Boomer at 23. As an employee you have to learn how to work and play with others especially your boss. Otherwise, you will have a long and drawn out career as a barista. If you can’t stand the heat, become a consultant.
I look forward to your track at TruLondon.
Jessica
@blogging4jobs
Thanks Jessica – TOTALLY AGREE – its a complete state of mind! See you in London!!! Oh wait, you are sitting right next to me now. #trulondon
A big AMEN for this post.
Thomas Friedman said that the evolving workforce needed to be adaptable in order to be successful. He wrote that, “Versatilists apply depth of skill to a progressively widening scope of situations and experiences, gaining new competencies, building relationships, and assuming new roles. Versatilists are capable of not only constantly adapting but also of constantly learning and growing.” => This is Generation Y.
Boomers can teach me about solid work ethic & how to act in a business meeting. Boomers can give me advice on relationships and buying a house. I (Generation Y) am here to show you computer keyboard shortcuts, new social media, and the quicker and more efficient way to complete that project. I can tell you about the happiness that comes by following my heart & not always following protocol. We can work together, but as Sarah says, “We (just) want to show you a different way to look at things.”
Best. Comment. Ever. <3's
Great post Sarah, I love the passion and directness in your writing and I can’t wait to meet you at TruLondon.
I’m about to post on my own blog with some views on generational demographics so for now I have a couple of personal observations:
1) Every wave of teenagers since Elvis Presley sang his first note (and probably before!) think that they were the first to discover Sex n Drugs n Rock & Roll and the first to ‘Want it All’
2) The term ‘Generation X’ was first used in 1952 and was the title of a book published in 1964 which dealt with the loose morals and lax attitudes of mid 60s teenagers – who we know call Baby Boomers!
I think we’ve always wanted it ‘All’ it’s just the definition of ‘All’and the ways open to us to get it that have changed.
The ability to get paid what you’re worth now doesn’t just come from ‘Gen Y’..trust me, previous Generations have wanted it too…it’s now a possibility because of changing attitudes and demographics of managers and owners.
The workplace should rapidly become one big melting pot, with each age group hopefully using its influences and experiences to try and do things differently. And, as Gareth says, also hopefully with integrity and authenticity.
We all have a part to play!
So excited to meet you as well! We don’t think we are the first to want these things. In fact, we listen (and read) the x’ers talk about it all the time. Unfortunately, via the numbers – the x’ers just weren’t a large enough group to really have a huge impact in the workforce changing things.
Combining the X’ers and Y’ers – we can totally change the way we do biz – if we can all just get along
Interesting perspective, Sarah, and interesting comments. I too am an older Gen Y’er, and I write the national Generation Y column for the Examiner. I talk with a lot of Boomers, a lot of Y’ers and a lot of X’ers. We all essentially get in our own way. Yes, Y sometimes think they know it all, yes, sometimes X thinks they are picked on, and yes, Boomers sometimes think no one has had to do anything the hard way, like they did.
Guess what? We should actually be learning from each other. Everyone is right, Gen Y doesn’t know everything. Yet. But, just like you said, they are VERY eager to learn. I’m the first to admit that Gen y isn’t perfect and there are definitely reasons the negative stereotypes exist, but just as every single Baby Boomer isn’t hard working, not every Gen Y’er is spoiled and whiny. Some are ready to roll up their sleeves and do the work and learn everything they can from previous generations. But the prejudice has to go away on both sides. And, as that happens, I truly believe some incredible things will happen.
It starts with people like you…thank you!
Thank you so much for your comments! I totally agree – UNDERSTAND some of the differences – BUT its HOW we integrate and work together that makes the big difference and CAN change things.
my deepest hope for your generation after reading this great post is that you will NEVER become afraid of having expectations as has my generation, Gen X. everything you write about us here is true. and, i’m so glad you are so bold and say you want to learn from us. if Gen Xers really care about the future of this great country, we will tell you everything we know and then some, without fear that you’ll use it to leap frog us. i hope you do. i hope your future is eternally brighter than that of the Xers, b/c Gen Y will help pave the way for the one thing that means the most to Gen X: Generation Z, also known as our children.
Blessings on you. Blogging4jobs.com sent me here.
Jen -
THANK YOU – I can’t tell you how refreshing that is – I WANT change. I want to have high expectations. I want to think that I can do/be/have whatever I want – and work hard to achieve it. I look at it from the same perspective – I think it is my role/responsibility/whatever to do as mentoring, educating and training with the younger gen y’ers – HOPEFUL they will be better than I am.
(I’ll thank Jess at Blogging4Jobs.com for sending you over!)
Being at the tail end of Gen X (75), I don’t have expectations. When I do, I keep them low so I’m not disappointed.
Gen Y could learn a thing or two from my cynicism.
I’m trying my hardest to be more cynical. But I am hopeful my optimism will rub off on you.
[...] much-criticized auto-follow feature, which had been intended to ma… 3 Tweets The Generational Debate is About Expectations: A Letter to Boomers/Gen X (@imsocorp) | ImSoCorporat… I've been writing, blogging and speaking on Gen Y issues since 2006 when ERE gave me a blog [...]
Interesting letter, but it’s missing an important part of the equation: Generation Jones (between the Boomers and Generation X). Google Generation Jones, and you’ll see it’s gotten a ton of media attention, and many top commentators from many top publications and networks (Washington Post, Time magazine, NBC, Newsweek, ABC, etc.) now specifically use this term. In fact, the Associated Press’ annual Trend Report chose the Rise of Generation Jones as the #1 trend of 2009. Here’s a page with a good overview of recent media interest in GenJones: http://generationjones.com/2009latest.html
It is important to distinguish between the post-WWII demographic boom in births vs. the cultural generations born during that era. Generations are a function of the common formative experiences of its members, not the fertility rates of its parents. And most analysts now see generations as getting shorter (usually 10-15 years now), partly because of the acceleration of culture. Many experts now believe it breaks down more or less this way:
DEMOGRAPHIC boom in babies: 1946-1964
Baby Boom GENERATION: 1942-1953
Generation Jones: 1954-1965
Generation X: 1966-1978
Generation Y/Millennials: 1979-1993
[...] Gen Y is currently a really big, serious and hot topic, discussed in articles, celebrated in blogs, elevated to tracks and recorded on videos for everybody to view and nobody to [...]